Pont Alexandre III, Paris Overview

In a city with around 37 bridges spanning over the tranquil Seine, Pont Alexandre III stands seamlessly amidst the Paris skyline - joining Invalides, on the left bank with the Grand Palais on the right bank. Apart from serving as a link to some significant marvels of Paris, Pont Alexandre III also carries with it a rich historical import. It was built as a consequence of Franco-Russian peace with the first stone being laid in 1986 by Tsar Nicholas II. From 1975, Pont Alexandre III also features in the list of Monument Historique of France.

The Franco-Russian efforts led, during its construction for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, to the building of two mammoth nymph structures - “Nymph of the Seine” and “Nymph of the Neva” adorned in the centre of the bridge, respectively representing the arms of France and Russia. Last but not the least, the bridge offers picturesque scenes to be captured for later memory as it gives a clear view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower against the gold, bronze, copper statues of nymphs, cherubs, winged horses and angels at the bridge.

The bridge, named after the Alexandre III, Emperor of Russia, has been the backdrop of multiple cultural products - movies such as James Bond, Midnight in Paris and Me Before You feature the bridge and its even a location in the Broadway Musical Anastasia. The bridge is made entirely from metal and offers three traffic lanes across its length and width of 500 ft. and 30 ft. respectively. It has wide open walkways for tourists to enjoy a romantic walk along the riverside. During the Olympics, a diving platform is erected on the bridge which serves as the location for diving sports.

Photos of Pont Alexandre III

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Cafes/Restaurants in and around Pont Alexander III

SourceParisian cafes, the epitome of Paris’ culture, are centres of exciting activities. Pont Alexandre III offers its own variety of niche cafes and entertainment - be it New Year celebrations at Flow or the night parties at Faust or the floating cafe Bistrot Alexandre III, or the new clubbing experience at Bridge. Pont Alexandre III bustles with tourists and locals alike, coming along for unwinding at these cafes.

3. Bistrot Alexandre III

4. Bridge

Address: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, FranceTimings: Open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday; close the rest of the daysBookings: bridge-paris.com

River Limousine at Pont Alexander III

SourcePont Alexandre III's location over the Seine also makes it a lucrative stop for all recreational activities. A lot of businesses have come around to provide the choicest experiences to visitors. The must-have experience at Pont Alexandre III is the one offered at River Limousine which specializes in exclusive private cruises. Its cost mostly includes 75 minutes or 90 minutes cruise through Paris at dawn, day or night that starts at a junction near Pont Alexandre III. Other services such as an a-la-carte, a mini-fridge, complimentary Champagne bottle and insurance is also covered.

Architecture and Design of Pont Alexandre III

SourceA few architectural marvels in Paris feature aspects from classical greek mythology. Even Pont Alexandre III, built in the Art Nouveau style of the Belle Epoque era, features them as constructed by architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin, and engineers Jean Résal and Amédée d'Alby. It features multiple greek mythology creatures, namely Fames and Nymphs. The Phemes refer to the four bronzed, gilded statues of the Fames controlling the Pegasus. These are situated on 17 m tall masonry plinths and serve three purposes simultaneously - artistic expression, stabilizing counterweights to the bridge and keeping intact the picturesque Paris skyline. The Fames are named Fame of the Sciences and Fame of the Arts on the right back and the Fame of Industry and Fame of Commerce on the right bank.

Along with the statues on the top, these plinths also hold at their bases a female statue representing a certain point in French history. These bases are as follows: La France Contemporaine (Contemporary France) under Fame of the Sciences, France de Charlemagne (France of Charlemagne) under Fame of the Arts, France de la Renaissance (France of the Renaissance) under Fame of Commerce and the La France de Louis XIV (France of Louis XIV) under Fame of Industry. It is to be noted that all these statues were individually sculpted by different sculptures and artists, including the Fames, plinths and the statues at the base.

History of Pont Alexandre III

SourceA serving memorial to the tumultuous peace acquired between French and Russian forces, Pont Alexandre III commemorates the consultative pact arrived at by both the nations in the 19th century. Its historical significance overlays its cultural significance in many contexts. During its inauguration at the 1900 Universal Exhibition, around 50 million people visited the bridge leading to the construction of replicas around the world; including one featured at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas. The bridge was also central to the Liberation of Paris movement back in 1944 where a few damages were incurred, the carved lion being directly affected. Under the restoration project taken in 1995, the bridge was brought back to its former impact.

How To Reach Pont Alexandre III

The closest stations to Pont Alexandre III are Grand Palais and Invalides, which are approximately a 3 minute walk from the bridge.Metro: Lines 1, 13, 8Train: J, NBus: 72, 73, 83, 93